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  4. In a nuclear reactor, moderators slow down the neutrons which come out in a fission process. The moderator used have light nuclei. Heavy nuclei will not serve the purpose because

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Q. In a nuclear reactor, moderators slow down the neutrons which come out in a fission process. The moderator used have light nuclei. Heavy nuclei will not serve the purpose because

Nuclei

Solution:

During an elastic collision between two particles, the maximum kinetic energy is transferred from one particle to the other when they have the same mass. Therefore, heavy nuclei will not serve the purpose because elastic collision of neutrons with heavy nuclei will not slow them down.